Her2serum test: How reliable it is?
 

I have doing Her2 serum test since an year and always been below 8. The range is 0 to 15. But the last blood draw showed 10.1. I am little concerned.
For those who is monitoring with Her2serum test how reliable the test is for you? Is it accurate for decease progression?

Thanks,
Julie

Julie,

A reading below 15 still indicates that the cancer may not be active. You may wish to repeat the test .

Christine has always been about 6.

I will be speaking with Dr. Carney who developed the serum test over the weekend and will ask him for his opinion.

Regards
Joe

Thanks Joe!
 

Hello Joe,

Thanks for all you do for this amazing group! I can't wait to hear about the reliability of the serum test. Thank you so much for checking on it!

Have a great day!

Donna

3 tests
 

Hi -
Congrats on the good numbers.
I have used this serum test now 3 times. My cancer status has been stable at NED for a few years now, but this test gives me comfort. Results are always within a point or two of the last test.

My med onc seems to like this HER2 serum test and has confidence in the results.

Just wait a short time and repeat the test, as scans most likely will not show any tumor activity. Do you use the other breast cancer markers? How are those numbers?

Julie,

I get the HER2 serum test and am hoping that it will be a better indicator if I ever get mets. My first one was 10.1 and now we are down to 6.5. At least I know the Herceptin did it's job. I have been off Herceptin for 6 weeks now and will see my oncologist in 3 weeks. At that time, I will have the serum test done again. Hopefully the numbers will be good. I found that the regular tumor marker tests were no good for me. When I was diagnosed with Stage IIIc my tumor marker was 15.3 which was well within the "normal" rage. While on A/C it jumped to 31.4 and the back down to 15. I'm hoping that ther HE2 serum test will be more reliable

Julie,

I talked to Dr. Carney this evening and he suggests a retest in 1-2 months.

Regards
Joe

HER2 serum
 

Have done the HER2 serum level 3 times....about every 4 months. Started at 8...did a jump to 12 and now at 8 again. This test was requested by me after doing much reading here and about the test. The onc and the lab appreciated the info that I took to them and do believe my test was the first. Hummmm, will try to remember to ask the onc on the next visit if anyone else it doing the HER 2 serum levels. Finally graduated to seeing the onc every 8 weeks ! Feel free to fly !! Hugs, Bonnie

Her2 serum test
 

I'm confused about what the serum test actually does. My oncologist never gave it to me.
Is this something that I should ask for when I get my blood work done? All of my tumor markers have been normal & NED at the moment.

Eileen

Joe,
Thanks for contacting Dr.Carney. I will repeat the test in a month.

Steph,
There is almost no change in my other tumor markers(CA27-29,CA15-3 and CEA), only CA27-29 increased by 1 it is around 9. Still anxious about the Her2Serum.

Thanks,
Julie

my question...
 

Is this test done only on those with metastatic disease or is it also beneficial for early stage bc? My onc doesn't run any tests, tumor markers or scans and I am comfortable with that but if this is something that is useful in monitoring all stages I will ask about it.

Thanks for the info!

Here's the link where Dr. Carney discusses the HER2 Serum test.

Bayer Serum Test - Dr. Walter Carney

The test was originally FDA approved only for advanced or metastic breast cancer. I'm not sure if it's been cleared for early breast cancer. The thread is long but answers many questions you may have.

Thanks Tousled1 - that was very informative. I'll keep my eye on the updates.